SCUTTLEBUTT #273 - February 5, 1999
SUN MICROSYSTEMS AUSTRALIA CUP - Report by John Roberson
At the end of day three of the Sun Microsystems Australia Cup, Peter
Gilmour representing Japan's Nippon America's Cup Challenge has taken the
lead, while Swede Magnus Holmberg is $10,000 richer.
Gilmour, originally from Perth, and his all Japanese crew, had a very good
day, winning six out of the seven races they sailed, to move to the top of
the leaderboard. Swedish skipper Magnus Holmberg and his Stora Team have
collected the second of the cash bonuses at the Sun Microsystems Australia
Cup, chalking up ten straight wins, to pick up $10,000. The overnight
leader, Holmberg had seven consecutive wins on the scoreboard when he went
afloat today, however the Swedish crew had to wait for their go at the
money, with light winds delaying the start of racing for two hours.
The boys from snowy Gothenburg kept their cool in the Perth heat, and when
the first of the seabreeze, came in at 10 to 12 knots, they beat Denmark's
Morten Henriksen by 35 seconds. Next it was local skipper Sebastien
Destremau, and with the legendary Fremantle Doctor up around 25 knots,
these two who had trained together last week, put on a great display of
match racing, with the Swede taking the gun by 17 seconds. Then it was the
turn of Italy's Nicola Celon, with the boats reefed and Perth's Swan River
kicked into a frenzy by gusts of up to 30 knots, the battle was intense,
but Holmberg clung to his advantage to bank the cash by 6 seconds.
Gilmour's day was steady, chalking up victories over Celon, Holmberg (after
he'd won his cash), Destremau, Sydney skipper Neville Wittey, Henriksen and
Frenchman Luc Pillot, his only loss to Tomislav Basic of Croatia. After
winning his bonus Magnus Holmberg lost his edge, losing to Gilmour,
England's Chris Law, and Kiwi Gavin Brady, to end the day in equal second
place.
With three more round robin flights to be sailed, any one of the top six on
the leaderboard can still make the semi-finals, Peter Gilmour being the
only skipper to have secured his place. - John Roberson
| 1. | Peter Gilmour | Japan | 12 wins - 4 losses |
| 2= | Magnus Holmberg | Sweden | 10 - 5 |
| 2= | Gavin Brady | New Zealand | 10 - 5 |
| 2= | Tomislav Basic | Croatia | 10 - 5 |
| 5. | Sebastien Destremau | Australia | 9 - 8 |
| 6. | Neville Wittey | Australia | 8 - 7 |
| 7. | Chris Law | Britain | 6 - 9 |
| 8. | Luc Pillot | France | 5 - 10 |
| 9. | Nicola Celon | Italy | 4 - 12 |
| 10. | Morten Henriksen | Denmark | 3 - 12 |
Regatta website: http://sunaustcup.dowdigital.com.au
PROFESSIONAL SAILING
Pete Goss today launched a unique search for undiscovered ocean racers by
making a public appeal to find the final four candidates for the crew of
his trail-blazing catamaran. Goss, already committed to expanding the
boundaries of technical expertise, has issued an open invitation for
ambitious sailors to apply for a place on the giant craft, which is
currently under construction in Totnes, Devon.
He intends to spend the next three months assessing the merits of a new
generation of racers, who are more likely to have extensive dinghy sailing
experience than a background in the highly specialised environment of round
the world racing. Pete Goss : "I'm looking for young, ambitious people, who
are natural team players. We are building a highly technical boat that will
require a champion's mentality and a technician's brain. We must understand
the huge loads we are going to impose on the structure".
The four candidates selected will then compete for the final two berths on
the Adrian Thompson-designed catamaran, which will be launched early next
year. They will begin an intense training programme in September. Two will
be chosen for the final crew in November. The other pair will become
reserves, and continue to play an active role in the project.
The initial target is the Jules Verne record, for non-stop
circumnavigation. An attempt is being planned for the spring of 2000. The
ultimate aim is victory in The Race, the no-holds barred round the world
race which begins at the stroke of midnight on December 31, 2000.
Goss said: "This boat is so radical, that we need to look at the crew from
an entirely different perspective. It may well be that our ideal candidate
does not even realise that he, or she, is perfect for the job. The boat
defines the crew. "I am looking for world class sailors, the type of people
who have the instinct to react, without conscious thought, when we fall off
a wave at 40 knots in the pitch darkness of the Southern Ocean. They do not
necessarily need to have extensive offshore experience. The nature of the
boat demands a special type of character who, ideally, will have
exceptional single or twin-hulled dinghy experience.
"Of course, the obvious option is to investigate the possibility of
recruiting from recent Whitbread crews. I have huge respect for their
professionalism, and their experience. "But to make the best use of what
will essentially be a giant dinghy we have to widen our search. "Someone
with that sort of background must be able to complement the other skills
contained in what is a small, highly motivated team. We want to work
together to make a winning entry.
All applicants for this 17-month appointment must write to Pete Goss,
enclosing a CV, at Goss Challenges, Baltic Wharf, St Peter's Quay, Totnes,
TQ9 5EW, England.
For the full story: http://www.therace.org/english/
IT'S COMING
No matter where you live, it is time to start thinking about the new racing
season. Your first priority should focus on getting commitments from your
crew. However, right after that, start eliminating the weak spots in your
sail inventory. Let the pros at Ullman Sails help move your program up to
the next level. You can get a price quote online right now. It's more
affordable than you think:
http://www.ullmansails.com/
UPDATE - AMERICA TRUE AC SYNDICATE
** After a week of finally racing AmericaOne, I can definitely say that
both teams have benefited a good deal from the practice. After numerous
practice starts and windward-leewards, both teams were able to better the
other at different times. This practice proves valuable when we are
reminded that we are both in the long haul together trying to topple Team
New Zealand. -- America True crewmember Tucker Thompson
** Dawn Riley, CEO and Captain of America True, The San Francisco Yacht
Club challenge for America's Cup 2000, will speak at Sail Expo Atlantic
City in New Jersey this weekend. America True will also have an
information booth and grinder on hand for visitors to enjoy. Riley will
speak on Saturday, February 6, at 1:30 p.m. in the central area of the New
Atlantic City Convention - Grace Kim
There is much more on the America True website: http://www.americatrue.org
LETTERS TO THE CURMUDGEON
We read all of our e-mail, but simply can't publish every submission. Those
that are published are routinely edited for clarity, space (250 words max)
or to exclude personal attacks.
-- From Bill Faude -Tom, you may end up getting tired of publishing these
fleet growth stories, but I doubt 'buttheads get tired of reading them. The
Vanguard 15 Fleet at Chicago Yacht Club has grown from an original fleet of
three boats in spring '96 to 33 boats as of 1/'99! Growth here is
attributable to the energy of some key one design sailing evangelists at
the CYC who also had the great idea to make it possible for non-members to
race in many of their events too. Maybe easing up on the commandment "Thou
Shalt Be A Member To Go Racing" may be a key.
There's frostbiting in spring and fall, and sailing at least three days a
week during the summer. The V-15 is a first boat for some--a second or
third for others and it's a great way to get new people into the sport.
Chicago's V-15 fleet is hosting the 1999 V-15 Nationals this October. All
from those first three boats...I'm tired of hearing people don't have
enough time to invest in sailing.
From my viewpoint, as immediate Past President of the International
Lightning Class Association as well as a new V-15 sailor, sailing has long
since rebounded. The sooner we all start thinking that way, the sooner it
will be true everywhere.
-- From Ray Wulff -- One design is more competitive than IMS!!!!!! IMS is
more competitive than One Design!!!!! PHRF is the fairest!!!!!!!! One
Design is stifling to development!!!!!!
I'm curious what all the hub-bub is about. It's just a different style of
racing. Last year I competed in IMS 1 and this year sailed in the 1D35
class. I found both classes competitive for different reasons. Many IMS
owners / crews are interested in chasing the bouncing ball while others
like plug-and -play boats such as the MUMM 30 or 1D35.
One fair comparison can be two events found in the Olympics. In downhill
skiing the fastest to the bottom wins ( One-Design). In bobsledding, it's
the driver, the brakeman, the middle man, and the sled's designer. ( IMS )
If you choose to bobsled, there are only a few tracks in the world ( IMS ),
however there are plenty of mountains to ski down.(One Design) Is this
going to change anytime soon? No. Are they both valid events? Yes. So
please let's stop this, "We're a more competitive division than this other
one." It would be better to start a land war in Asia. (You'll have the
same result.)
-- From Meagan Van Liew -- Mission Accomplished! Team Balance Bar has a new
mainsail, and it has everything to do with the California Yacht Club (CYC),
California Corinthian Foundation and the support of sailing enthusiasts
across the US. We accomplished our goal of raising $10,000 for a new
mainsail. This success will enable CYC member Brad Van Liew to continue
his quest to compete and win Around Alone 1998-99. This fundraising effort
was a true struggle, and a test of time. We appreciate the enormous amount
of support, encouragement and spirit bestowed upon the campaign.
-- From David McCreary (In response to Chip Evaul) -- Perhaps I wasn't
clear on my reference to Luddites. It was in reference to sailing
organisation committee members who don't have email or website access. NOT
to all sailors. I was trying to specifically state an example of how ISAF
saves a great deal of money and time, by putting committee agendas only
online prior to their annual and mid year meetings. These are of real
import only to the committee members. The final approved minutes of ISAF
meetings are put both online (to get them up quick) and in print (for easy
later reference) in their yearbooks. For a committee member to not have
email and website access is inexcusable, and they should be told "get
online or get out" to save printing and post cost of hundreds of pages of
agendas.
I'm keenly aware of the elitist perception of our sport, I own a sailing
school, we teach well over 1500 people a year, including youth programs.
We've always provided free lessons to any kid whose parents could not
afford the sailing program fees -- and if they can't afford $60 they sure
can't afford a computer. I'm a firm believer that the internet will never
replace magazines, newspapers or books. Ever try stretching out in a
hammock with a laptop? They hurt like hell when you fall asleep and drop
them on your face.
AUCKLAND UPDATE
(The following is an excerpt from DEFENCE 2000, which is available from
John@roake.gen.nz -- US $48 per year.)
-- Syd Fischer's (who heads the Australian challenge) latest attack "The
last time I leased space was at San Diego and you wouldn't get a bigger
rip-off place than that, but Auckland leaves them for dead." Defence 2000
also learns that Fischer will not name a skipper and crew for the
Australian challenge until much later in the year. Definitely a slow starter.
Fischer, which is his right, has refused to pay a deposit for a base in the
Basin. He expects to find something more reasonably priced. We wish him
well! "Something will come up nearer the day," he says. "People renting
space will quickly learn that it's not going to be the bonanza they
expected and someone will have some common sense." Do you get the
impression that Syd is somewhat bitter about something?
-- Many New Zealand companies are open to sponsorship deals with foreign
America's Cup syndicates. And the consensus of opinion is that there is
little stigma attached for being involved with any of Team New Zealand 's
potential challengers. The San Francisco Yacht Club has been in
negotiations with several New Zealand companies for some time now, whilst
Douglas Reid, a local director for Team Conner, says they are not finding
any anti-challenger feelings regarding their New Zealand company
negotiations. In other words, according to Professor Rod Brodie of Auckland
University, you are not a traitor to the cause if you support a Team New
Zealand rival. If you are a New Zealand company trying to break into the
American market, you should be forming links with overseas teams. - John Roake
2000 OLYMPICS
New Zealand now tops the world sailing nations in the number of Olympic
yachting entries gained for Sydney 2000 said Peter Lester, Yachting New
Zealands High Performance Manager today.
New Zealand has now achieved Olympic entry in nine of the eleven Olympic
yachting classes following the recent combined Sailing World Championships
in Melbourne. Only Germany can equal this statistic, also with 9 entries
confirmed. Spain and Italy have 8 entries apiece. Australia as host nation
gains automatic entry in all classes. -- Virgina Stracey-Clitherow,
Yachting New Zealand
Countries listed below are in order of qualification except Australia. As
host nation, Australia gains automatic entry.
LASER (Olympic fleet = 41)
1998: Australia, Great Britain, Sweden, Germany, Brazil, Denmark, Italy,
Netherlands, Finland, New Zealand, Greece, USA, Portugal, Canada, Croatia,
Ireland, Korea, Spain, Belgium, Estonia, Slovenia, Israel
1999: Poland, France, Norway, Austria, Russia, Argentina, LTU, Malawi
EUROPE (Olympic fleet = 26)
1998: Australia, Netherlands, Great Britain, Denmark, New Zealand, Poland,
Germany, Spain
1999: Finland, Canada, Belgium, Ireland, Sweden, Czechoslovakia, USA, France
FINN (Olympic fleet = 28)
1998 Australia, Poland, Sweden, France, Belgium, Greece, Croatia, Great
Britain, Czechoslovakia
1999: Canada, Germany, Holland, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand,
Switzerland
49er (Olympic fleet = 19)
1998: Australia, Great Britain, USA, France, Denmark, Portugal, Netherlands
1999: Italy, Spain, Germany, New Zealand, Ukraine
470 MEN (Olympic fleet = 30)
1998: Australia, France, Slovenia, Sweden, Finland, Portugal, Ukraine,
Greece, Russia, USA
1999: Poland, Israel, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, Italy, Spain,
Argentina, Germany
470 WOMEN (Olympic fleet = 19)
1998: Australia, Ukraine, Denmark, Germany, Spain, Greece, Argentina
1999: Italy, Israel, New Zealand, United States, Holland
SOLING (Olympic fleet = 15)
1998: Australia, Russia, Ukraine, Italy, USA, Spain
1999: Sweden, Netherlands, New Zealand, Denmark, Germany
CLASSES YET TO HOLD 1999 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS:
MISTRAL MEN (Olympic fleet = 36)
1998: Australia, New Zealand, Israel, Portugal, Greece, Argentina ,
Austria, Poland, France, Fiji, Italy, Great Britain
MISTRAL WOMEN (Olympic fleet = 28)
1998: Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, France, Italy, China, Poland,
Germany, United States
TORNADO (Olympic fleet = 15)
1998: Australia, Germany, France, Spain, Austria
STAR (Olympic fleet = 15)
Australia, Brazil, Germany, Sweden, Spain (NB No NZL entries expected in
this class)
For the full story: http://www.yachtingnz.org.nz/
SPEED RECORD UPDATE
[Hans Bouscholte and Gerard Navarin are attempting to set a speed record
for crossing the Atlantic Ocean (without assistance) in an open 19' Inter
catamaran.]
The team is experiencing heavy weather right now. They have 12-foot waves
and wind force 6 to 7. But due to the waves coming in from abeam the
situation is getting even more difficult. Since the last "sched" the team
traveled 14 miles. The situation right now is that the weather doesn't get
any better in the near future altough the waves do get lower. due to the
weather communication with the team was impossible so at the time it
remains a mistery how they are. But no EPIRB signals have been received so
they are still sailing. ETA still is: Noon February 6 -- three days under
the record.
Website: http://www.bouscholte.com/
HELP WANTED SECTION
St Francis Yacht Club is currently taking resumes for the positions of
Junior Sailing Program Director Junior Sailing Program Administrator. The
program presently focuses on coaching advanced sailors between the ages of
14 and 20 years of age on a regional, national, and international level.
There are also some exciting new ideas for developing the program into a
well rounded, top notch Internationally Competitive Youth Sailing Program.
St. Francis Yacht Club is also looking for two top racing instructors to
coach the Summer Racing Program on the City Front, one for 420's and one
for Lasers. There may also be opportunities for coaching Laser, 420, and
Optimist Dinghy Clinics. Contact Carisaharr@aol.com for more information,
or fax a resume to 415-563-8670.
St. Francis Yacht Club is also looking for a race coordinator. Contact
Stfyc_raceoffice@compuserve.com for more information, or fax a resume to
415-563-8670.
THE CURMUDGEON'S OBSERVATIONS
You're getting old when 'getting lucky' means you find your car in the
parking lot.
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